络绎不绝

• Pinyin: luò yì bù jué
• Hanzi breakdown: 络 = 纟 (silk/thread) + 各 (each/connected); 绎 = 纟 (thread) + 睪 (continuous unwinding); 不绝 = not ceasing

Meaning

A continuous, unbroken stream of people or things; an endless flow of visitors, vehicles, or events in succession.

Four-character idiom (成语) describing constant, uninterrupted movement or flow. Typically describes visitors to a popular place, tourists, or a steady stream of business. Positive connotation of bustling activity or popularity.

Examples

1. 黄金周期间，故宫博物院的游客络绎不绝，每天接待量均超过五万人次。 During Golden Week, visitors to the Palace Museum kept coming in a steady stream, with daily attendance exceeding 50,000.
2. 这家开业三十年的老字号餐厅以独特的口味吸引了络绎不绝的食客，始终座无虚席。 This long-established restaurant that’s been open for thirty years draws a constant flow of diners with its unique flavors and is always packed.
3. 科技展览馆开幕后，前来参观的市民和学生络绎不绝，现场人气十分旺盛。 After the science and technology museum opened, residents and students came in an endless stream, and the place was buzzing with activity.

Usage Guide

Context: travel, business, events, description

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 春节期间，来自全国各地的香客络绎不绝地涌入这座千年古寺，祈求新年平安顺遂，香火极为旺盛。(During the Spring Festival, worshippers from all over the country flocked in an endless stream to this thousand-year-old ancient temple, praying for peace and good fortune in the new year, with incense burning vigorously.)
• 这位畅销作家的签售会一开放预约便迅速额满，现场读者络绎不绝，队伍一度延伸至书店门外百米之外。(As soon as the bestselling author's book signing opened for reservations it quickly filled up; readers arrived in a continuous stream, and the queue at one point extended more than a hundred metres outside the bookstore.)

Don't Say

• 将络绎不绝用于负面语境 — 络绎不绝 is neutral to positive and describes desirable or notable traffic/flow; for negative connotations of endless trouble or complaints, use 接连不断 or 层出不穷

Origin & History

络 (connect, net-like, intertwined) + 绎 (unravel, continuous) + 不 (not) + 绝 (cease, cut off) — linked and flowing without cessation

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal